After years in Hollywood as a child actress, Tracey Gold got her big break as the curious middle child Carol Seaver in the hit sitcom Growing Pains. Despite rising to fame due to her captivating performance, Gold struggled with a serious eating disorder that was worsened by the pressures of the entertainment industry and the intense scrutiny that comes with being a famous person behind the scenes.
However, in a recent interview, the 55-year-old recently opened up about the highs and lows of her career and her battle with anorexia. She revealed the support she received from her on-screen mother which helped her overcome her challenge.
Tracey Gold says on-screen mom Joanna Kerns advocated for her during battle with anorexia
View this post on Instagram
During an episode of Shannen Doherty’s podcast, Let’s Be Clear, Gold revealed that crew members repeatedly made jokes about her weight, which left her feeling bullied and deeply insecure. In an attempt to cope with the emotional toll, she resorted to an unhealthy weight loss regimen, which quickly went out of control, leading to severe physical consequences, as it caused her to become dangerously thin and fall ill.
She noted that despite her declining health, the studio mounted pressure on her to maintain a perfect appearance for her character while ignoring the impact it had on her health. The actress explained that the situation was so critical that her co-star, Joanna Kerns, who played her on-screen mother, had to step in to advocate for her. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Kerns confronted the studio, warning them that Gold’s life was in danger if they failed to intervene.
What is Tracey Gold up to now?
Following Kerns’ intervention, the studio took decisive action by sending Gold home, forcing her to confront the reality of her health condition. The 55-year-old disclosed that after recognizing the urgency of addressing her struggles, she made the courageous decision to seek appropriate medical help.
Gold stated that although it took a while to find the best program tabloids caught wind of most of her doctor’s appointments. However, she discovered UCLA’s Eating Disorder Institute, where she began outpatient treatment. The actress claimed that this marked a turning point in her journey, as she started to regain her voice and her self-esteem.
Fans Eager To See Dennis Quaid’s Chilling Role As The ‘Happy Face Killer’ In New Series
Ringo Starr On Rumors He’s Never Had Pizza Or Curry – He Finally Breaks His Silence